OCEANSIDE — During its annual Awards and Installation luncheon June 30 Tri-City Medical Center took some special time to salute its 700 dedicated auxiliary members who volunteer to help patients and visitors.This year’s event highlighted the 60 members whose volunteer service reached 1,000 hours or more — including one individual who had given 19,500 hours, as well as special mentions to the 101 members with 100 to 500 hours. Special appreciation awards were given to Renee Salas and Jeff Pigza for their support to the Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary.
Hospital Chief Executive Officer Larry Anderson acknowledged the extraordinary accomplishments of Ruth Brown, Mimi Howland, Toni Baasch and Carol Schwanberg, four volunteers who have each served the auxiliary for more than 25 years.
Auxiliary President Paul Martini presented the President’s Eagle Award to outstanding auxiliary leaders Dorothy Crabtree who has given nine years and more than 3,500 hours of service, to Barbara Jennings with more than eight years and 1,450 hours of service, and to Mildred Hill with 22 years and more than 12,000 volunteer hours.
He also recognized Tri-City Hospital Foundation President Tobi Ferguson with an Eagle Award for her contributions to the auxiliary’s annual Tea Party and other volunteer appreciation events. Ferguson is the first person outside of the Auxiliary to have received the award.
“Our volunteers are truly treasures,” said Anderson. “Tri-City is lucky to have such wonderful people who give the gift of their time, energy and talents to others, and expect nothing in return. Much of what we are able to do as a hospital is because of the tremendous support our volunteers provide.”
The past year, ending June 30, at Tri-City, an average of 450 volunteers each month gave a combined 75,204 hours of community service. For information on volunteer opportunities, call (760) 940-3125.
The Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary was organized in 1958 and formally incorporated in 1961. It is led by a 15-member board, and is affiliated with the American Hospital Association, the California Hospital Association and the San Diego – Imperial Council.
